2022 Alliance of Women Film Journalists (AWFJ) awards: ‘Banshees of Inisherin,’ ‘Everything Everywhere,’ ‘Women Talking’ and ‘The Woman King’ top winners

The Alliance of Women Film Journalists (AWFJ) have chosen their best in film for 2022 and The Banshees of Inisherin, Everything Everywhere All At Once and Women Talking shared the most wins, four apiece, in the group’s overall award categories.

In the AWFJ specific to women and women filmmakers, The Woman King reigned with wins for Gina Prince-Bythwood as Best Woman Director and its star Viola Davis for Outstanding Achievement by A Woman in The Film Industry.

The org also has several special mention awards, both celebrating and shaming the film industry for its treatment or presentation of women. Emma Thompson came out on top of good side for Most Daring Performance for her work in the sex-positive comedy drama Good Luck to You Leo Grande and Crimes of the Future earned the group’s dubious Most Egregious Lovers’ Age Difference Award for Viggo Mortensen and Léa Seydoux’s 28-year age difference.

Ties were abound in several categories including Best Supporting Actress for Kerry Condon in The Banshees of Inisherin and Jamie Lee Curtis in Everything Everywhere All at Once, Best Cinematography where Top Gun: Maverick and The Woman King shared the win, and Best Non-English Language Film where Decision to Leave and RRR both won.

“We are particularly proud that this year’s member-determined roster of nominees included a goodly number of female contenders in non-gender specific categories. And that we have female winners in those categories, as well, including Sarah Polley who receives the EDA Award for Best Director for the multi-nominated and awarded Women Talking.” said Jennifer Merin, President of the 95 members of AWFJ. “We hope to see similar results at this year’s Oscars and various guild awards. as well as with other critics awards groups.”

Here is the full list of winners.

AWFJ Best Of Awards

(These awards are presented to women and/or men without gender consideration.)

Best Film: The Banshees of Inisherin

Best Director: Sarah Polley – Women Talking

Best Screenplay, Original: The Banshees of Inisherin– Martin McDonagh

Best Screenplay, Adapted: Women Talking – Sarah Polley and Miriam Toews

Best Documentary: All the Beauty and Bloodshed – Laura Poitras

Best Animated Film: Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio – Guillermo del Toro and Mark Gustafson

Best Actress: Michelle Yeoh – Everything Everywhere All at Once

Best Actress in a Supporting Role (tie): Kerry Condon – The Banshees of Inisherin and Jamie Lee Curtis – Everything Everywhere All at Once

Best Actor: Colin Farrell – The Banshees of Inisherin

Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Ke Huy Quan – Everything Everywhere All at Once

Best Ensemble Cast – Casting Director: Women Talking – John Buchan and Jason Knight

Best Cinematography (tie): Top Gun: Maverick – Claudio Miranda and The Woman King – Polly Morgan

Best Editing: Everything Everywhere All at Once” – Paul Rogers

Best Non-English-Language Film (tie): Decision to Leave and RRR

EDA FEMALE FOCUS AWARDS (These awards honor women only)

Best Woman Director: Gina Prince-Bythewood – The Woman King

Best Woman Screenwriter: Sarah Polley and Miriam Toews – Women Talking

Best Animated Female: Connie – Isabella Rossellni Marcel the Shell With Shoes On

Best Woman’s Breakthrough Performance: Danielle Deadwyler – Till

Outstanding Achievement by A Woman in The Film Industry: Viola Davis – For getting The Woman King made as her lifetime passion project and creating opportunities for other women creatives.

EDA SPECIAL MENTION AWARDS

Grand Dame Award for defying ageism: Emma Thompson

Most Egregious Lovers’ Age Difference Award: Crimes of the Future – Viggo Mortensen born 1958 and Léa Seydoux born 1985

She Deserves A New Agent Award (NOTE: This is not a put down. On the contrary, it suggests that the actor is better than the role she’s been given): Ana de Armas for Blonde

Most Daring Performance: Emma Thompson – Good Luck to You, Leo Grande

Time Waster Remake or Sequel Award: Jurassic World: Dominion

AWFJ Hall of Shame Award (Women and men are eligible): Harvey Weinstein for everything and forever

Photo: Michael Gibson / 2022 Orion Releasing